Pillow including a breathing channel

ABSTRACT

A pillow consisting of two generally cylindrical shaped sleeves forming soft cushions connected along their longitudinal axes with a flexible linking member to provide an adjustable channel for a side or stomach sleeping user to more easily draw breath through her mouth or nose. A method of adapting a pillow to provide an adjustable channel for a side or stomach sleeper to breathe easier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,372 filed on Jan. 12, 2021, titled “Pillow Including a Breathing Channel.” The entire disclosure of Application No. 63/136,372 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Over the years there have been many attempts to create the perfect soft pillow for side and stomach sleepers. Traditional one-cavity pillows stuffed with soft filler materials have a tendency to puff up in the face of the person laying on their side or stomach, making it uncomfortable to breathe. Other conventional pillow designs have used contoured construction that improves breathability but results in a pillow that is uncomfortably hard. The few conventional multi-cavity soft pillows in the market do not address the need to provide a clear path for breathing. Studies have also indicated that conventional pillows may cause increased intraocular pressure, a risk factor for glaucoma, when a person's head is turned into the pillow. A need remains for improved, effective, and comfortable pillows for side and stomach sleepers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the description of embodiments presented herein. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the present embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals may identify like elements, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pillow according to an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a pillow according to an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of another pillow according to an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of another pillow according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing description of the figures is provided for the convenience of the reader. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and configurations shown in the figures. Also, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in generalized or schematic form, in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pillow 10 of this disclosure. A first sleeve 12 forming an elongated internal cavity 14 with a longitudinal axis is shown linked to a second sleeve 16 forming an elongated internal cavity 18 with a longitudinal axis. The sleeves 12, 16 may be formed of any conventional material as known in the art (e.g., cotton, cotton blends, etc.). In some embodiments, the sleeves 12, 16 are generally cylindrically shaped. The cavities 14, 18 contain a filler material 13 (further described below). A linking member 20 is disposed in between the first sleeve 12 and the second sleeve 16 to couple the sleeves to one another. The linking member 20 provides for an adjustable channel 22 in between the first sleeve 12 and the second sleeve 16.

FIG. 2 shows a side sleeper 24 with her head placed upon the first sleeve 12 and her chin and neck upon the second sleeve 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the linking member 20 couples the two sleeves 12, 16 creating an air channel 22 in between the sleeves. The linking member 20 creates a channel 22 aligned with a person's mouth and nose when a person's head rests on one sleeve 12 cushion and the person's neck and jaw are resting on the other sleeve 16 cushion. The channel 22 provides an unrestricted space for the sleeper's 24 mouth and nose. As shown in FIG. 2, linking member 20 is preferably connected at the center of first sleeve 12 and second sleeve 16 along their longitudinal axes. In this manner, an air channel 22 is provided regardless which side of the pillow 10 is used.

In some embodiments, the sleeves 12, 16 are configured with a resealable fastener 26 at one end of the sleeve, to allow for insertion and removal of the filler material 13 within the respective cavity 14, 18. As used herein, the term “resealable fastener” may include any conventional means as known in the art (e.g., a zipper, snaps, hook-loop fasteners, VELCRO™ etc.). In some embodiments, the sleeves 12, 14 are sealed at both ends (e.g., sewn shut) to permanently contain the filler material 13 within the cavity 14, 18. In some embodiments, the sleeves 12, 16 are formed with a flap 28 covering an opening 30 at one end to allow for insertion and removal of the filler material 13 within the cavity 14, 18.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of another pillow 10 embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the linking member 20 is an extension of the material forming one of the sleeves 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the first sleeve 12 is sewn 32 along the longitudinal axis to form the generally cylindrical cavity 14 (See FIG. 1) while allowing a sufficient amount of extending material to form the linking member 20. In such embodiments, the first sleeve 12 and the linking member 20 are a one-piece unit, made of the same material. In other embodiments, a stand-alone separate linking member 20 may be affixed to one of the sleeves 12, 16 by any suitable means as known in the art (e.g., sewn in, snaps, affixed with an adhesive, etc.). Embodiments configured with a stand-alone separate linking member 20 may be implemented with the linking member made of any suitable material as desired.

The other end of the linking member 20 is coupled to the second sleeve 16 via a releasable fastener 34 to permit the user to widen or narrowing the channel 22 (See arrow 23) in between the first sleeve 12 and the second sleeve 16 by manual adjustment. As used herein, the term “releasable fastener” may include any conventional means as known in the art (e.g., snaps, hook-loop fasteners, VELCRO™, etc.). For example, an embodiment may be implemented with the linking member 20 configured with a releasable fastener 34 consisting of VELCRO™ on the surface of the linking member 20 to engage with a complementary mating VELCRO™ patch configured on the surface of the sleeve 16. Another embodiment may be implemented with the linking member 20 configured with a releasable fastener 34 consisting of a series of snaps on the surface of the linking member 20 to engage with a complementary series of mating snaps affixed on the surface of the sleeve 16.

With such embodiments, a user can selectively widen or narrow the width 23 of channel 22 by adjusting the releasable fastener 34 to move the connection point of the linking member 20 on the sleeve 16 to either extend the connection point and widen the channel or take up the connection point and narrow the channel. Such embodiments also allow the user to selectively vary the width 23 of the channel 22 in between the sleeves 12, 16 along the longitudinal axes of the sleeves. As such, a user can manually adjust the linking member 20 on her pillow to couple the first sleeve 12 to the second sleeve 16 such that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are substantially parallel to one another along their longitudinal axes, as depicted in FIG. 1. Alternatively, a user can also manually adjust the linking member 20 on her pillow via the releasable fastener 34 to couple the first sleeve 12 to the second sleeve 16 such that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are not parallel to one another along their longitudinal axes. This may be desired to “fine tune” the channel 22 spacing 23 between the sleeves 12, 16 for maximum effectiveness and comfort. In other embodiments, the linking member 20 may be permanently linked to each of the sleeves 12, 16 (e.g., via sewing) to provide a specific channel 22 width 23 in between the sleeves as desired by the user. In some embodiments, the sleeves 12, 16 and the linking member 20 may be formed entirely as a one-piece unit, with the channel 22 formed by sewing the material in parallel along the longitudinal axis to form the channel with a width 23 as specified by the user. Yet other embodiments may be implemented with multiple segmented linking members 20A, 20B coupling the first sleeve 12 to the second sleeve 16, as shown in FIG. 4. Such embodiments provide a wide-open, unrestricted air channel 22 in between the sleeves 12, 16, which enables users that require a medical breathing apparatus (e.g., CPAP masks) to sleep on their side or stomach while wearing the apparatus.

Embodiments may be implemented with the filler material 13 formed of any suitable substance as known in the art. For example, embodiments may be implemented with filler material 13 comprising conventional materials as known in the art (e.g., polyester, synthetics, foam compositions, synthetic fiber material, natural feathers, multi-piece materials, beads, etc.). Preferably, embodiments can be implemented using materials suitable for machine washing and drying. In some embodiments, the filler material 13 may be sheathed in a separate cover 36 which is inserted into the sleeve 12, 16, cavity 14, 18 (See FIG. 2). With such embodiments, a user can select from different grades of filler material 13 to easily swap pre-filled covers 36 to customize her pillow 10 such that one sleeve 12 provides a different firmness level compared to the other sleeve 16.

Embodiments can be implemented for use with conventional sized pillow cases (e.g., Standard, Queen, King). For example, but not by way of limitation, a pillow 10 embodiment may be implemented with the sleeves 12, 16 configured to fit into a Standard sized pillow case (18 inches×24 inches, 45.72 cm×60.96 cm), while still providing the channel 22 in between the sleeves (e.g., with a linking member 20 approximately 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) wide). Embodiments may also be implemented with the sleeves 12, 16 having different circumferences. For example, a pillow 10 embodiment can be implemented with one sleeve 12 forming a cavity 14 with a 19 inch (48.26 cm) circumference and the other sleeve 16 having a cavity 18 with a 16 inch (40.64 cm) circumference. In this manner, a user can further customize the pillow 10 to provide maximum comfort as desired.

In light of the principles and example embodiments described and depicted herein, it will be recognized that the example embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented using conventional materials and components suitable for the desired application (e.g., components made of cloth, plastics, hybrid material combinations, etc.). What is claimed as the invention, therefore, are all implementations that come within the scope of the following claims, and all equivalents to such implementations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow comprising: a first sleeve forming a cavity to hold a filler material therein; a second sleeve forming a cavity to hold a filler material therein; and a linking member disposed in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve to couple the sleeves to one another while providing an adjustable channel in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
 2. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are each elongated having a longitudinal axis.
 3. The pillow of claim 2 wherein the linking member is coupled to one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve with a releasable fastener.
 4. The pillow of claim 3 wherein the releasable fastener permits widening or narrowing of the channel in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
 5. The pillow of claim 4 further comprising a filler material disposed in the cavity of the first sleeve and in the cavity of the second sleeve.
 6. The pillow of claim 5 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each include an opening on one end thereof through which filler material is respectively inserted and removed from the first and second cavity.
 7. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the linking member couples the first sleeve to the second sleeve such that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are substantially parallel to one another along their longitudinal axes.
 8. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the linking member permits coupling of the first sleeve to the second sleeve such that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are not parallel to one another along their longitudinal axes.
 9. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the filler material is contained in a separate cover.
 10. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each comprise a resealable fastener to permit access to the cavity formed therein.
 11. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each comprise a flap at the opening on the one end thereof to permit access to the cavity formed therein.
 12. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the first sleeve has a first circumference that is different from a second circumference of the second sleeve.
 13. A method of adapting a pillow for a user, comprising: providing a first sleeve forming a cavity to hold a filler material therein; providing a second sleeve forming a cavity to hold a filler material therein; and coupling the first sleeve to the second sleeve with a linking member disposed in between the sleeves, wherein the linking member provides an adjustable channel in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein coupling the first sleeve to the second sleeve comprises linking the sleeves together with a releasable fastener.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the releasable fastener permits widening or narrowing of the channel in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising disposing a filler material in the cavity of the first sleeve and in the cavity of the second sleeve through an opening on one end of each sleeve.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein coupling the first sleeve to the second sleeve comprises linking the sleeves to one another such that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are substantially parallel to one another along a longitudinal axis of each sleeve.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein coupling the first sleeve to the second sleeve comprises linking the sleeves to one another such that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are not parallel to one another along a longitudinal axis of each sleeve.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each comprise a resealable fastener to permit access to the cavity formed therein.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the first sleeve has a first circumference that is different from a second circumference of the second sleeve. 